...and you should of course! While Dollar Bill is your event invitation solution, when it comes to most of the remaining preparations, well, the metaphorical ball is in your court. We'll try to point you in the right direction though!

I found the following article with some great tips on putting together a successful, special celebration. While some of these suggestions might seem obvious, it's easy to get overwhelmed, so having a quick reference guide is good practice:

"Event planning is not rocket science, but it requires an acute organization and constant attention to detail. If everything goes off without a hitch, it often goes without notice, but if something goes awry, it’s a public display of failure:

Postcards provide a great benefit over email marketing campaigns, in that they're tactile. The visual appeal of a colorful postcard in your mailbox is far more compelling than the 50 character or less subject line of an email. Direct mail marketing through postcards forces the receiver to at least glance at your logo or brand strategy before deciding whether or not it is something that motivates them further.

I came across the following article, with useful tips on how to make your next postcard more eye-catching:

"Let’s say you’re launching the best deal the universe has ever seen, and you build a highly-targeted mailing list full of likely buyers. According to the 40/40/20 rule, 80 percent of your work has been done. Now, let’s say you print a direct-mail postcard that lists 100 different features and benefits and essentially buries your offer in 8-point font. Do you think such a postcard would be nearly as effective as, say, a postcard that boasts the same offer in an extra-large yellow font on a black background? Of course not. The first postcard will likely be thrown away before many potential customers even register the offer, while the second postcard will undoubtedly yield excellent ROI because it commands attention. It is, in short, attractive.

There's no denying the fact that we live in a technological age. Dollar Bill Copying sends out e-newsletters and has a blog and for pete's sake! I think you already knew that though, if you're reading this...but I digress. We also understand that print, perhaps now more than ever, plays a unique role in business and marketing needs. I found this intriguing article that discusses how to use print appropriately, and when it trumps the ever popular digital alternatives:

"According to marketing experts, people receive so much advertising through websites and email these days, that print has found a way to stand out in the digital chaos. In fact, in terms of direct mail marketing, even when people don´t open the envelope, there is a benefit for brand recognition when people see the business logo and tagline on the outside.

When customers prefer print

For example, in the case of major purchases, print is the ruling type of marketing. People like to have a brochure to learn about all the specifications of their next sports car or condo, they prefer this to looking at a website. Print also has the advantage of being physical. Great quality printing beats any computer monitor in terms of displaying appealing images. In fact, computer manufacturers are busting their brains to make displays that make images look as good as in print."

This is a very useful article I came across from Entrepreneur.com. It outlines some basic information that is important understand before placing your next business card order. No, we can't print on chocolate, well, not yet anyway...but with Dollar Bill's new promotion, we can accommodate short runs for an incredibly low price!

"A business card is an integral part of any good marketing plan. For its size and cost, it's probably the most powerful part. Of course, you can't expect your business card to tell the whole story about your company. What you should expect it to do is present a professional image people will remember. A business card can make or break a client's first impression of your company. In fact, this little card makes as much of an impression as your personal appearance-the suit you wear or the briefcase you carry.

Choose a card style that's appropriate for your business, industry and personal style. If you're a funeral director, for example, you don't want to be caught handing out day-glow cards with cartoon figures on them. If you're a mechanic whose specialty is converting old Beetles into dune buggies, a formal, black-on-white engraved card will probably be dropped into the nearest circular file. When crafting a design, start with the style that best supports the business image you wish to project."

I came across this article from several years ago, that explains how booklets can be a useful marketing tool. There are some really attractive photos of impressive layouts that are inspiring to designers and marketers alike:

"Brochures and booklets are a standard tool for promotion and advertising. They are tiny books or magazines which lay around in conference halls, offices and waiting rooms. Sometimes they contain an annual report of the company or showcase the portfolio of an artist. Brochures can also be included in CDs and DVDs; however, usually they are given away as freebies (e.g. they may contain a calendar or some poster inside)."

One of Dollar Bill's favorite customers, Bank of Ann Arbor, produced this miniature billboard for us, akin to their clever ads posted around the area. All of us here were very amused and charmed by the tribute! We ourselves understand, however, that not all companies can support a display of that magnitude. But this doesn't mean that your marketing can't make a great impact too. I found a nice, straightforward guide on promoting your business from wikiHow.com:

3. Trade shows and exhibitions - Hand out your business cards. Set up private meetings with those who express an interest in getting to know more about your business.

4. Advertise - Direct mail. You may purchase mailing lists targeted to your segment of the consumer market, then mail out letters, brochures, catalogs or postcards. This method is effective when you want to provide potential customers with paper coupons, vouchers, business cards or promotional merchandising.

5. Build business partnerships

6. Rely on the power of social networks

7. Offer freebies - Pass out merchandise with your company's name and/or logo on it to everyone you meet at networking events, trade shows, client meetings and even personal social gatherings. Things like pens, magnets and calendars are good merchandising ideas, as these tend to stay in use, and within view, for extensive periods of time.

At Dollar Bill, we can assist you in producing many of the aforementioned marketing products. We're experts in business cards, direct mailings, brochures, and signs! You might be surprised to know that we also print folders, magnets, calendars, and much more. If Dollar Bill is unable to create what you're looking for ourselves, we'll always help to point you in the direction of someone who can!

As one of Ann Arbor's favorite digital printers, Dollar Bill serves many local corporations. Folks like Zingerman's, Avfuel, and Bank of Ann Arbor have their own expert design teams. But if you're part of a smaller business, here are some great tips for hiring and/or working with a graphic designer:

"Non-Designer Tip #1: Don't Design

Many non-designers think they can easily say, 'make that blue' or 'make that bigger' as a method to creating good work. This is a major hindrance to the design process. Graphic designers are problem solvers. So, present them with a problem to solve, don't give them the solution to implement. Why? Because they are much more versed at visual problem solving than you are.

Non-Designer Tip #2: Communicate Before the Project Starts...

Creatives work differently than the rest of us. They work differently from each other, too. Before a project starts, it's important to understand what's needed in order to output a successful piece or product.

Non-Designer Tip #3: Understand the Designer's Value...

Some positions within the organization may regard graphic design work to be merely 'cosmetic' and 'embellishments.' In some cases, it can be. But good design is functional. Combined with your well-defined business objectives, good graphic design provides solutions to your business needs under the guise of simply 'being pretty.'"

Dollar Bill offers certain design services, but if you're in need of help for a larger or more complicated project, please contact one of our other creative customers: Designs with Aim, Global Design, or Wagner Design!

Nonprofits make up a considerable portion of Dollar Bill's clientele. After reading this article, I better understand your organization and, as a result, we will be able to meet your needs even more effectively.

This is not to exclude our small businesses and larger corporations either; the following guide is beneficial to anyone planning an upcoming engagement:

"Ad books can be given to event guests. The ad book is made up of paid advertisements and also includes information about the nonprofit. Prospects for ad buyers include local businesses, vendors, entrepreneurs and even donors who want to advertise a service.

Give each guest a card stating, 'You are seated at Table # ___.'

Provide individual printed menus listing each course that will be served.

In your printed program, communicate your mission and the purpose for the event.Your program should include a special thank you from someone that will benefit from the event such as the people you serve."

I stumbled upon this article from about a year ago. At first, I thought the headline sounded awful...from a printer's viewpoint anyway! But after reading through it, I found the content to be quite helpful; it will certainly influence my own business card exchanges in the future:

"Don't expect too much when handing out business cards...

by Greg Peters

Networking, like so many other pursuits has its own set of first-timer mistakes. If you are new to the practice, watch out for these misconceptions and you'll end up having an easier time of it. Today's mistake? Unrealistic business card expectations.

When I first started networking, I would show up at the event — the chamber networking lunch, for example. I would do the best I could, mixing and mingling with the other attendees. I would get so excited when, after chatting for a few minutes, someone would ask me for one of my business cards.

Of course, I would present them with my card (sometimes two!) and then I would return home with the glow of success all about me. Yes, sir, things were really about to take off! For the next several days, I would look forward with anticipation to their call.

Of course, no one ever (and I mean ever) called.

...

Remember that the most valuable card at the networking event is the one you get from someone else."